Two wintry storms could strike next week

Staff reports

Updated 7:19 pm, Thursday, December 13, 2012

Temperatures are expect to reach the mid-40s Friday and Saturday, but enjoy the mild days while you can, because forecasters say the weather will take a turn for the worse come Sunday.

A wintry cocktail of rain, sleet and snow is expected to sweep through the region starting Sunday,WTNH meteorologists say.

A second winter storm could move into the state mid-week, bringing heavy rain or wintry precipitation, along with wind and coastal flooding. But forecasters say its too early to know the storm's exact path. It could miss Connecticut entirely.

In the first storm, Sunday and Monday, the shoreline is likely to get mostly rain, starting as early as Sunday morning, while inland areas can expect a wintry mix.

On WXedge.com, WTNH meteorologist Quincy Vagell said that as the storm tracks to the west, warmer air will try to work its way into the system, which could change the wintry mix to rain before the precipitation tapers off late Sunday night.

"Portions of northern Connecticut may pick up an inch or two of snow before warmer air lifts northward," Vagell said.

But Vagell said forecasters will keep an eye on a second low-pressure center that could develop.

"If it is far enough south of Connecticut, not only could colder air move in, but precipitation could continue through part of Monday," Vagell said. "This will need to be watched as the Monday morning commute could potentially be affected. Details are not set in stone."

A second, bigger coastal storm looms for mid- next-week, forecasters say. The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook that calls for the potential of a strong coastal storm, but notes there is "a bit of uncertainty in the evolution," of the storm system.

The storm threatens to bring heavy rain or wintry precipitation, along with strong wind and coastal flooding, the NWS states in the outlook.

Martin said the storm could move out to sea, could clip the state or could hit directly.

The models have varied and have been changing frequently, making it difficult to forecast, Vagell said.

Here is the rest of the seven-day forecast:

TONIGHT: Clear and chilly. Lows 20-30.

FRIDAY: Sunny. Highs in the middle to upper 40s.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs in the 40s. Dry Saturday Night too!

SUNDAY: Looks like some rain developing. Some brief sleet/snow possible NW...but not much at all. Highs in the 30s to lower 40s shoreline.

MONDAY: Morning rain that may try to change to snow NW before ending. Highs 38-42.